Daily Devotions – Great Endurance

Daily Devotions – Great Endurance

Photo by Juliet Furst on Unsplash

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (NIV)
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

 

By what standards do you gauge success? How does that compare to verses 4-10?

Success is not always measured by heights attained, but obstacles overcome. Some of those obstacles can be painful, including separation from family or others whom you care about or admire. Obstacles such as not being acknowledged or even being rejected, as you struggle to share Gods love with people, is a painful reality. As long I am sharing with humility and the leading of the Holy Spirit those times of hardship are worth it.

Lord you know my heart and mind and how some times I get discouraged. While I certainly have not been beaten or imprisoned there have been sleepless nights and some difficult days when I have tried to be an instrument of your love. How I pray that I would learn how to be more joyful in those times of sorrow and remember that I have your unfailing love and your arms of comfort around me. Father help me to keep my heart open, my motives pure, showing understanding and patience. You Lord have given me the weapons of righteousness and your honor and glory will be seen and known, I am humbled that you have allowed me to be your servant because each day I do see more and more of your awesomeness and your love for your people. I pray for peoples’ hearts to become tender towards you and for your Holy Spirit to work mightily in this world. Amen

 

Today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider